Instinctively every one turned to Carson to learn what he had to
advise and yet each was certain what he would say.

"It'll never do, boys, to let them steal our horses in that style,"
he remarked in his quiet fashion, compressing his lips and shaking
his head, while his eyes flashed with a dangerous light.

All knew what his words and manner meant, and in a twinkling the
thirteen men were in their saddles, and, with their gallant leader
at their head, galloped forth off in pursuit.

It would be supposed where the ground was covered with snow to
such a depth, that it was the easiest matter imaginable to follow
the trail, and yet Kit and his companions found it one of the
most difficult tasks they had ever undertaken. Hundreds of bison
had repeatedly crossed the tracks since they were made and less
experienced eyes than those of the trappers would have given over
the search in despair.

But no one thought of turning back, and the pursuit was pushed
unflaggingly for fully forty miles. Not the first glimpse had been
obtained of the Indians, and the horses that had been pushed so
hard finally gave out. They were in poor condition, and, when the
company came to a halt, showed such exhaustion that it was evident
they could not be forced much further. It was decided, therefore,
to go into camp. Accordingly, they turned the heads of their panting
animals toward a piece of woods a short distance away.

Before the shelter was reached, the trappers were astonished to